7 October 2026
In year groups, students have spent their Day of Reflection focusing on this year’s goal of ‘Social Awareness, which impels to action’, each with the help of a charity whose work embodies this: Mary’s Meals, the Cardinal Hume Centre, the Medaille Trust and Purley Food Hub.
On different days, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 travelled to Wintershall, near Guildford, where the retreat team led them in a number of workshops, including an eye-opening one on the ethics of the types of clothes we buy, and one about Mary’s Meals, which provides life-changing school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest communities. The promise of a good meal brings hungry children into the classroom, where they can gain an education and better opportunities for the future. Each day finished with the celebration of Mass.
Students in Year 11 and Upper Sixth spent their Day of Reflection in school. Year 11 listened to a fascinating talk by Stephen Currid from the Cardinal Hume Centre, which strives towards a society where everyone has a safe place to live and the opportunity to reach their full potential. Its mission centres around that belief that each person matters, and the charity enables families, children and young people to overcome poverty and avoid homelessness.
Our Upper Sixth were joined by Debbie Fernandez from the Medaille Trust, who talked to them about the charity which was established 20 years ago by Sister Ann Theresa SSJA to support people who have been trafficked to the UK.
After the talks, Dr Wade, Woldingham’s Chaplain explained the roots of the Sacred Heart goals in the Gospel imperative to love our neighbour and in the emphasis Catholic Social Teaching places on solidarity with those who are on the margins of society.
Each year group then worked together in House groups to design posters and artwork that reflect the values of Catholic Social Teaching and the work of their respective charity. They produced some outstanding work, including a lovely stop-motion film, which you can see here. Both Days of Reflection finished with a celebration of God’s Word, where the message was one of love of God and love of neighbour.
Year 10 will spend their Day of Reflection in school with Helen Harris from the Purley Food Hub, an emergency food bank that helps local people in crisis. It was set up in January 2013 by Churches Together in Purley & Kenley, since when it has provided over 420,000 meals to more than 46,000 clients and family members in need. A guest from Mary’s Meals will join Lower Sixth students for their Day of Reflection.